Adam P.

I found when I started at 5.2gr of PP, it was a powder puff load. 5.5gr is soft, but no mouse fart and the recoil is more of a push. In 40, I prefer the push recoil vs. snappy. My load is getting me 3" groups off of sand bag out of my M&P 40 with 180 gr Missouri Bullets. Red Dot was good also with 180 gr Bayou Bullets and I was getting 3.5" groups with it off the sand bag. I think PP is an excellent choice for 40 cal major or minor loads IMO.

I've had good luck with Bullseye and Red Dot in 40. Red Dot smells something awfull, but it was an accurate load. I've got some 231, but haven't tried it yet. The most accurate load is with PP though and it's the load I mentioned above.

My manuals show the start load for PP at 5.2gr. My IDPA load (minor) is 5.5gr of PP pushing a 180gr Missouri bullet (cast). My Lyman manual has a higher starting charge, but the other 3 show 5.2gr.

I put the Novak adjustable sights on my M&P 40 and it corrected my pistol's POA/POI issue. Novak front sight is .285 tall IIRC.

I use 5.5gr of Power Pistol, 180gr TC Missouri Bullets, CCI SPP, COAL of 1.13.

I'll have to say it's due to the lube, but I won't rule the powder out either. I have no complaints with Missouri bullets though. Great company to deal with and they offer discounts to leo's (like myself) and they ship super fast. I like the Bayou bullets also, so it's really gonna be a hard decision next time I order bullets...lol, because both manufacturers are awsome to deal with and make a good product.

I use 180gr Missouri bullets and 180gr Bayou Bullets for 40 minor. Both loads are soft, but not mouse fart soft. Both are extremely accurate out of my M&P 40. 180gr Missouri Bullet 5.5gr of power pistol cci 500 primer 1.13 OAL 180gr Bayou Bullet 4.3gr of red dot cci 500 primer 1.13 OAL The Bayou Bullets don't smoke, but the Missouri Bullets do. The smoke isn't a factor as I shoot outdoors 99.9% of the time.

I'll be interested to hear how that works out for you. I am considering the same thing. They worked out good. I did get out to the range on Tuesday and now I have that M&P hitting where I want. I did a review on them and posted it in the S&W forum with pics of them. They were worth it IMO.

Well I bought this M&P 40 back in February. When I took it out and shot it; it shot 4" low at 25 yards. Initially I was going to sell it to a buddy of mine, but then I stumbled accross these Novak adjustable sights at Brownells. They were cheaper than Dawson Precision sights and figured why not give them a try. First off, the front and rear sights are sold separately so you can mix and match front and rear sights to your liking. They are offered in Tritium, white dot, plain, and fiber optic. I went with the white dots because that's what works for me. Sights arrived quickly from Brownells and I literally just put them on 30 minutes ago. Install was tipical M&P sight install (rear went easy, front was a bear), but I got them on. As far as adjustibility, the rear has a screw to adjust for elevation, but windage is done by drifting the sight left or right. Front sight is .190 tall compared to the factory sight at .165. Width of the front sight was .125. Rear notch is .140 wide. Elevation adjustments are made with a regular screw driver and adjustments are smooth. If the weather ever clears up, I will take it to the range and see if I can dial it in. Pics are below.

Well I decided to break down and get some adjustable sights for mine. I'm gonna try the new Novak adjustable sights for the M&P. Picked them up at Brownells and they are cheaper than the Dawson Precision sights. They are available in plain, white dot, and fiber optic. I should have them Wednesday or Thursday, so I'll post pics and a review as soon as I can for those that may be interested. The front and rear sights are not sold as a set, so you can mix and match to your taste. Just search M&P sights if you get on Brownells website.

With the 9mm I had, it originally shot 7" low at 25 yards. It went back to Smith, they changed the barrel, and then it shot 3" low at 25 yards. I asked them about a shorter front sight for it when I sent it back a second time, but they said the sights were fine and that the problem was with me. Before I sold that pistol, I tried all the backstraps, different ammo (factory & reloads), and even put the thing in a Ransom rest and still had the issue of 3" low. With the current 40 I'm having issues with, I have done the same as above except for sending it back to Smith. It shoots 4" low at 25 yards. They zero these guns at the factory with 180gr bullets if I'm not mistaken and I would think that a gun shooting 4" low would be caught by someone during this time. I don't have this issue with my other FS 40 or 40c, so I don't think the issue is with me, but rather the lemon they let slip through that I bought. Maybe the OP will have better luck than I did with Smith, but I'm not fooling with it. I say send it back and see what happens.

But you'll sell it and loose your tax money and about 10 - 20% of the value depending on the gun? And, your going to sell it without telling a future buyer that it shoots low? You loosing either way you go. Why not make the gun personal to you and just install new sights? Myself, I don't want to have to install different sights or anything else on a gun if I don't choose to, but it happens. To me, the platform is stable enough that it's worth improvements to make it better for me. I've already dealt with this issue once with no solution from Smith. I don't have the extra cash to buy another set of sights, nor do I feel like buying new sights to fix a problem that shouldn't be there in the first place. I to like the platform and I own another full size 40 and a 40c, both of which shoot where I point them. I feel Smith lets way to many lemons slip through the cracks. As for taking a hit when selling the gun, that happens with any gun you sell, so that is not even a consideration in my decision. I'm an honest seller, and any potential buyer would know about any problems the gun would have. I've got a buddy I shoot with that wants it and is will to spend the cash for new sights. That's what he wants to do, not me, so please don't imply that I would lie to someone just to sell this gun. I don't appreciate that.

Just curious and trying to figure out what you're thinking is on this, why would you sell a gun that is shooting low? Assuming it ran ok but the POI was off, why not just change the sights? I know you probably shouldn't have to do that with a new gun but they can't possibly get every gun zeroed for every person/ammo/shooting style, adjustable sights were invented because most people shoot different. My thinking is I paid $455 for the gun with night sights. I shouldn't have to drop another $100 in for adjustables or even more for adjustable night sights. The gun should work out of the box without having to spend more money. Besides, what is there to zero? They are putting fixed sights on these pistols and this issue should have been caught when they tested fired and zeroed the gun at the factory. If I send it back, they will replace the barrell which will improve the problem, but not fix it because like I said in my earlier post, been there, done that with the 9mm I had. It's not worth the hassle or expense to send it back or put new sights on it.

I just experienced this same issue today. I have 2 M&P 40 fs with night sights. The first one I bought is dead on where I point it. The new one is 4" low at 25 yards. I to had someone else shoot it with the same results. Same results with different ammo and reloads. I had a M&P 9mm fs a a year ago with this same issue of shooting low. It went back to Smith twice, but the problem was never fixed, so I sold it. I'm thinking the same thing may happen to this 40.

Well I've settled on 5.5gr of PP at 1.13 OAL. Very accurate out of my M&P 40 FS. This load feels softer than my previous load with Bullseye powder. I started with 5.2gr of PP and worked up to 6gr. I didn't notice any leading out of the 100 rounds I fired this morning. They be smokey though, but I shoot outdoors 95% of the time so it's not an issue. I've got Bayou Bullets for when I shoot indoors. Thanks for all the info guys.

www.44mag.com has them in stock as of today. Price is $24.99.

I use 180gr Bayou's with 4.3gr of Red Dot. 1.13 OAL out of my M&P.

What kind of crimp did you have on those if you can recall? My current crimp is .422. I'm not having any issues, just curious. Thanks

I bought 4,000 40 cal bullets from him last year. They are awsome bullets, and they don't smoke. What is funny is when other shooters would see them at IDPA matches and ask me why my bullets were green. I would laugh and refer them to Donnie. I haven't shot up all of the one's I bought last year because I'm still shooting some Missouri Bullets I bought also. The Missouri bullets smoke and the Bayou bullets don't...it's night and day.

Right...I have the Lyman, but it only had 175gr cast data and the rest is all jacketed data. Guess I'll work up some loads backing off a little from the start loads of the jacketed data I have. Just trying to see if anyone used this combo before with good results.

I've got a couple pounds of Power Pistol and some 180gr TC Missouri Bullets. Bullets are cast and of course I've got plenty of jacketed data. I'm guessing that since I can't find much info for PP and cast bullets that perhaps it may not be a very popular combination. If anyone has any input, I would appreciate it. Not trying to make major, I only shoot IDPA at this time. Thanks

Yes FBI cant. It's a Comp-tac spartan. I probably misread the rule book...wouldn't be the first time.

Just out of curiosity, why not run the match with your IWB under a t-shirt? I'll bet you've got a lot of practice time in on that setup, and could rock with it. The only reason I haven't is because of the rules. I believe they state no canted holsters and my IWB is canted forward. Of course I may be wrong on this, but I seem to recall the rule book saying that some where. I know it wouldn't be an issue at my local match, so now that you mention it, I'll give it a try.

Well I used my duty gear for one match and will again thos spring and summer. I had no issues with mine. I had everything but my radio. I was shooting my M&P 40FS that I carry at work, but I compete with it even when I do use a cover garnment. I had my mace, cuffs, glove pouch, taser, and double mag pouch. I use a Bladetech WRS duty holster. I train with my LEO gear a lot, so I was right on par with the guys using concealment garnments and I didn't come in last. I actually felt like I was better when using my duty gear since that's how I roll most days. I carry off-duty, but do it in an IWB under a t-shirt, so when I started using a vest, I felt slower than what I usually practice. I will say one thing, it sucks wearing your duty gear to a match and you are not shooting well...makes the po-po look bad...lol. It was funny though, the match I shot after I wore my duty gear, everyone that remembered me doing it were kinda of disappointed that I wasn't wearing it for every match. They commented and said that they wished more LEO's competed with their gear. I'll definately be doing it again.

Well after a phone call to Dillon, and help from you guys, I was able to get the broken bolt out. It took a very tiny punch I had to get down in there and use it to turn the remander of the bolt out, but I got it. Dillon is sending me the replace parts that broke and that was lost (the little ball bearing under the shell plate). Can't beat that with a stick IMO.